The ancient Jeep Wrangler will get a facelift for 2005 or 2006, with a new grille (!), and a composite or metal top with removable roof and side panels. The Wrangler is also expected to have the new 3.7 liter V6 since DCX is intent on eliminating unnecessary engines and transmissions. As we predicted, 2003 models saw the old 2.5 AMC four cylinder quietly replaced with the 2.4 liter four on base models.

DCX executives may choose to relocate production when the Wrangler is revised in 2006, at which time we suspect it will get an independent front suspension and safety enhancements.

A confirmed 2005 pickup, called the Scrambler, is closely based on the Wrangler.

Jeep Rescue

The Dodge Ram-based Jeep seems like a copy of the Hummer H2 idea: take a good, well-made pickup, and turn it into a highly capable off-road vehicle. The Rescue could be designed to make a mockery of the H2 (which, incidentally, weighs 6,400 pounds, does 0-60 in about 10 seconds, and gets about 10 mpg). We hear people within Jeep are enthusiastic about the Hummer-styled Rescue, since GM and Hummer have been taking Jeep's offroad thunder in the popular mind. Related are Chrysler's efforts - currently but possibly not permanently rebuffed - to get a military contract for the Humvee replacement. GM and Hummer are also competing for this.

Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander (Wagoneer)

Chrysler is the lead engineering team for the Grand Cherokee, which serves as the basic platform for the Mercedes ML and the full-size Mercedes Vito van which may end up being sold as a Dodge, coming full circle. A luxurious, extended version of the Grand Cherokee is likely to be called the Jeep Commander (we had expected Wagoneer). Mercedes is now claiming it will not share any components with the redesigned M class, but they have been flexible about such statements in the past. Not sharing would be a strange thing indeed. Certainly the platform is the same, according to past DCX statements. The ML has been wind-tunnel tested in Auburn Hills, not Germany. The Grand Cherokee is in production, the long-wheelbase version still waiting.

Jeep Liberty

This platform may be phased out. We'd expect a new vehicle replacing the Liberty to come around 2007-08. Alternatively, there is talk of a Dodge version of the Liberty.

Not sure how accurate it is since they also predicted the Compass would be introduced this past July. _________________Nothing to see here.

Right now...outside...its snowing. I have seen 3 wrecks and about 10 cars in ditchs or spun out off the road. One of those cars was .....an H2!!
I think its funny that these soccer moms think they can go 100mph in snow in thier "unstoppable" H2.... Its just not happenin - Im sorry to say!

CoreyXJ_________________"Get busy living, or get busy dying..." - C.W.
"Do what you love to do...the money will eventually follow" - I. Larry

Ahh, the all-conquering H2.
I've seen a few of the H2 pickups cruising around (what are they called H3's?) Just not for me. Apparently everybody around here thinks if you throw a bunch of chrome on them, they become even more capable. _________________Nothing to see here.

You might enjoy this little ditty. Wayback when, when I had still had my 91 YJ and they were introducing the first civilian H1's, I happened to be in attendance at the Chicago auto show debut. I was standing around looking at the scantily clad Hummer chicks and listening to the mouth piece with the mic ramble about how great it was when he started soliciting audience reaction. Who does he pick to ask first? Yup. Yours truly! I just crossed my arms in front of me and said, "Won't go anywhere my Jeep can't". At that the now stunned announcer guy picked his jaw up off the floor said nothing and stuck his mic in someone elses face. I'll never forget that moment.

And totally unrelated, since I'm bored, I went to ford.com to price a new truck. I had my eyes set on a 2005 F-650 crew cab with a Caterpillar 7.2, a Fuller 7 speed trany, jake brake and air ride seats. I keep seeing one cruising around town with a pick up bed. Nice. Except the one I just priced is $62,000. _________________Nothing to see here.

Holy Smokes Code?!??!?!? What on Gods green earth are you going to do with that little dinky truck. My Ford F-9000 w/Turbine engine pumping out 10,000 hp with one-speed tranny, 5 point seatbelt harness, dingo balls in the window, and a cow-skinned seat cover, complete with Hummer-homing missles, and factory tow hooks.....(all for a mere $1.2 million) is way better than that!!!